A month ago we held our first evening of support for those who are un-employed or under-employed. Our purpose is to offer what only the Body of Christ can offer in these life situations - prayer, listening, hope, caring and to journey together. It was not our intent to be a networking group, a job placement service or a job finder service. We meet every other Tuesday evening (our next meeting will be Tuesday, March 17th from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm here on our Sunset campus).
At the first evening we had Christian psychologist who also works for an Employee Assistance program come in and talk about coping with change. One of the things we discovered was the real need for men and women to TALK about what they had been through and the power of talking about it with others who are walking a similar path. Realizing this, Cliff Reynolds and I made sure that there was time during the evening where we invite people to share where they are at and a little about their story. We also wanted to make sure that every evening included a time where people felt prayed over. Those who come are at all different places in their spiritual journey and so we found again that having someone at each table who was confident to be able to be the "pray-er" was very important.
The second time we met we had about 1/3 return, eager to reconnect. Many sat at the same table they had the first time. Two-thirds were there for the first time. (We expect the group to change each time as some will find work, some will not be able to come - but every evening is open to all.) We had a panel who answered a series of questions about facing a time of lay-offs and unemployment. Their stories resonated with many in the room. I shared a devotional from the life of Joseph. We want to make sure that the evening includes some encouragement, even five minutes worth, from the Word of God - giving people something to go back to on their own.
This morning between worship services a woman came up to me who had sat with me at this last support evening. She has been out of work for a year and with our economy the kind of work she is well qualified for has dried up. For some reason God put her especially heavily on my heart. I have not stopped thinking about her and the tremendous odds she faced. I do not have the spiritual gift of faith, and I was feeling very discouraged on her behalf. She came to me this morning to tell me she had gotten a job and the job she wanted!! I felt God saying to me, "Oh, you of little faith!"
I know I will see many of the faces of those dealing with the burden of unemployment for months. The faces will change but the need will remain. What I felt like God was speaking to me this morning is that HE IS FAITHFUL...He will walk with those who are on this unwanted journey and He will provide...even when we wonder if he will! If you are unemployed, or want to support those who are join us on March 17th.
One day while browsing, I looked up Family Radio (I'm sure you remember who they are). Their focus has changed - they now believe (and "preach") that the Church has failed God and is no longer relevant in today's world. I was astonished, but as I read their reasoning for this, I could understand and appreciate their point of view. It also made me think of Brad and his negative bias to any form of congregation.
All that to say that I am so deeply impressed by Sunset's ministry and your (the staff's) focus on the individual members of the congregation. I suspect that while Sunset may be considered a "mega-church," you aren't as large as some who manage to get themselves in the press.
It is so heartening to read about all the ways that you (the staff) find to overcome the pitfalls of being such a large church. I think if I were to visit, I would feel welcomed enough to return.
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